Help finding vehicle for my sciatica

forewheel · Aug 11, 2020

I'm going to be the odd man out here and say a new vehicle is not going to cure your sciatica. I mean, if you want to buy a new vehicle by all means do so, but it's not the cure. I dealt with sciatica last year for almost 3 months, and I know the pain, it's miserable. I did all kinds of things including dietary changes, trips to the chiropractor, you name it. Finally it was suggested to me to get a deep tissue massage. Let me tell you, it fixed it.....it was a very painful massage, where I was sore for several days after, but it worked and I haven't had a single issue with it since. Again, if you're looking for an excuse to buy a new vehicle I get it, but before you go plop down $60K, make some calls, find the right person who specializes in sciatica and go get this massage done, i'm telling you it works.

TheDarkEnergist · Aug 11, 2020

Buy a PsoRite. It's an $80 piece of plastic that has helped me walk and stand again.

https://pso-rite.com/

Your back is only gonna get worse. Ask me how I know.

Hostile · Aug 11, 2020

whereami said:
I have a bad case of sciatica with pain down my leg, so naturally I’ve come to TCL. I have a 2018 Subaru Outback and the doctor tells me I need a car with a better seat to alleviate the pain (in addition to exercises and other life changes). The problem with the seat is that when I sit, my hips are lower than my knees. I’m 6’ 2” so can’t raise the seat all the way without my head going through the sunroof.

Which trim level Outback do you have? My 2012 Limited had a tilting seat bottom so you could raise the overall height of the seat but then tilt the seat bottom down toward the pedals and that sucker could bring the front of the seat cushion down crazy low, enough to make me slide out of it. Given your price range I'm guessing you are in a Limited or Touring and have those seats, so did they remove the feature or are you just too damn tall?

atomicalex · Aug 11, 2020

I have all kinds of weird pain, and the main thing that helped me was a lumbar pillow.

That and the BRZ has awesome seats. But the Hpoint is way below the knees and there is a lot going on there.

Pnuu · Aug 11, 2020

forewheel said:
I'm going to be the odd man out here and say a new vehicle is not going to cure your sciatica. I mean, if you want to buy a new vehicle by all means do so, but it's not the cure. I dealt with sciatica last year for almost 3 months, and I know the pain, it's miserable. I did all kinds of things including dietary changes, trips to the chiropractor, you name it. Finally it was suggested to me to get a deep tissue massage. Let me tell you, it fixed it.....it was a very painful massage, where I was sore for several days after, but it worked and I haven't had a single issue with it since. Again, if you're looking for an excuse to buy a new vehicle I get it, but before you go plop down $60K, make some calls, find the right person who specializes in sciatica and go get this massage done, i'm telling you it works.

I'll second this, finding a skilled and strong massage therapist who works with medical cases (not a spa/relaxation massage therapist) has potential to do amazing things. My massage therapist is amazing, she can and occasionally does kick my ass but keeps my body working well.

Car related: I'll also second Volvo seats, I have never sat in anything as comfortable.

Good luck, being in pain detracts from everything else in life and if a car swap will help, and you can afford it, go for it.

GoLfUnV · Aug 11, 2020

forewheel said:
I'm going to be the odd man out here and say a new vehicle is not going to cure your sciatica. I mean, if you want to buy a new vehicle by all means do so, but it's not the cure. I dealt with sciatica last year for almost 3 months, and I know the pain, it's miserable. I did all kinds of things including dietary changes, trips to the chiropractor, you name it. Finally it was suggested to me to get a deep tissue massage. Let me tell you, it fixed it.....it was a very painful massage, where I was sore for several days after, but it worked and I haven't had a single issue with it since. Again, if you're looking for an excuse to buy a new vehicle I get it, but before you go plop down $60K, make some calls, find the right person who specializes in sciatica and go get this massage done, i'm telling you it works.

This...
I also had Sciatica episode that lasted 2-3 months. Chiro was of no help, yoga and various exercised did nothing for me. I finally decided to pay for quality Physical Therapy, and on my 3rd visit to PT, he stuck his thumb into my butt cheek, held it there for 2-3 minutes, and i haven't had any pain since. its been 3-4 years now.

But if you are set on getting a new car, my GF has 2010 Range Rover, and seat is elevated enough where my hips and knees are inline.
Alternatively, if your car has ample head room, you can put down pillow(s) on the seat to elevate your hips.

I am sorry about the pain, i know how miserable you must feel.

Aseras · Aug 11, 2020

Volvo has good seats.

GM or Ford anything are terrible.

Higher trim RAM trucks with the air suspension are nice and have great seats. Compared to Lincoln or Cadillac anything.
Chrysler Pacifica and Mitsibishi Outlander with the higher trims have excellent seats.

You can also take door #2 and have your current car's seat professionally reupholstered and put memory foam or whatever you'd like in and it isn't terrible expensive.

bnkrpt311 · Aug 11, 2020

We just jumped from a 2017 Outback to a 2020 Ascent and the seating is definitely more upright. :thumbup:

whereami · Aug 11, 2020

GoLfUnV said:
This...
... he stuck his thumb into my butt cheek, held it there for 2-3 minutes, and i haven't had any pain since.

I'm debating if this should be my signature. :wave:

A lot of great suggestions. I'll definitely check out the Volvos. We looked at the XC40 in January when we were shopping for my wife's next car. It's nice, but too small for me. I like a little more room for comfort and hauling random stuff.

I may have to swallow my pride and look at the Pacifica, too. It's all about the comfort at this point.

Alex on Autos always has a segment in each review where he sits in the front seat...you can see where the hip point to knee ratio is (based on how he set the seat). I've been looking through his videos and the F150 looks pretty flat. The Highlander looks pretty chair-like, too, so I'll check that one out (thanks for the suggestion). Atlas is pretty similar.. that's another good suggestion.

And lots of good pain suggestions. I've been dealing with back pain for over 20 years off and on. I've never had it this bad down my leg (herniated disc in L5, S1) and at this point I'm doing all I can to get it under control and prevent it from recurring in the future. A better car seat is part of that since I need to take some cross-country trips. It's just cool that a new car will come with the seat. lol. Over the years I've tried chiropractor, physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, cupping, Pilates, yoga, etc....pretty much everything short of surgery. I just don't want to go there.

whereami · Aug 11, 2020

Hostile said:
Which trim level Outback do you have? My 2012 Limited had a tilting seat bottom so you could raise the overall height of the seat but then tilt the seat bottom down toward the pedals and that sucker could bring the front of the seat cushion down crazy low, enough to make me slide out of it. Given your price range I'm guessing you are in a Limited or Touring and have those seats, so did they remove the feature or are you just too damn tall?

I have the 2018 Touring.

IanCH · Aug 11, 2020

Seating position is just as important as good seats. You need to be in an upright "truckers" seating position for long trips and you need to go to PT and focus on core strength. I cant speak to any more advice on care without more information but i can assure you that what I said will help. If you've already done PT (and not just the PT the surgeon sends you to, good spine focused PT) then I don't really have any more advice than to wish you well and get many opinions before doing any surgical intervention.

Mr.Veedubya · Aug 11, 2020

The only thing that comes to mind with seating position like that would be a VW Eurovan.

adrew · Aug 11, 2020

Mr.Veedubya said:
The only thing that comes to mind with seating position like that would be a VW Eurovan.

My sister has one - I thought about it, but it has had so many problems (one of the techs at their mechanic rage quit his job in the middle of doing the head gasket, lol).

I thought about the smallest Transit or Sprinter but figured it might not be the best to drive day in day out. But the Transit looks pretty much perfect, and the XLT has optional 10-way seats.

whereami · Aug 11, 2020

IanCH said:
Seating position is just as important as good seats. You need to be in an upright "truckers" seating position for long trips and you need to go to PT and focus on core strength. I cant speak to any more advice on care without more information but i can assure you that what I said will help. If you've already done PT (and not just the PT the surgeon sends you to, good spine focused PT) then I don't really have any more advice than to wish you well and get many opinions before doing any surgical intervention.

Thank you. I appreciate the advice. I agree completely and I am exploring PT options other than the one my orthopedic surgeon sent me to. And you're absolutely right about the "truckers" seating position. That's the goal (with enough headroom).

Uber Wagon · Aug 11, 2020

Volvo XC90. Them seats are like butter (and supa comfortable). :thumbup:

Air and water do mix · Aug 11, 2020

adrew said:
My sister has one - I thought about it, but it has had so many problems (one of the techs at their mechanic rage quit his job in the middle of doing the head gasket, lol).

Everything went to hell when VW started using head gaskets. :laugh:

adrew said:
I thought about the smallest Transit or Sprinter but figured it might not be the best to drive day in day out. But the Transit looks pretty much perfect, and the XLT has optional 10-way seats.

They drive much better than you'd think, but I can't imagine they'd stand up next to cars like the Volvo and whatnot. It's almost hard to believe they come from the same company that was peddling Econoline vans recently. (Yes, I know they still make a cab-and-chassis version.)

SCHWAB0 · Aug 11, 2020

OP something domestic, seriuously ... Caddy, Lincoln or Buick ... nothing touches the interior comfort of an American seat ...

SCHWAB0 · Aug 11, 2020

GoLfUnV said:
This...
I also had Sciatica episode that lasted 2-3 months. Chiro was of no help, yoga and various exercised did nothing for me. I finally decided to pay for quality Physical Therapy, and on my 3rd visit to PT, he stuck his thumb into my butt cheek, held it there for 2-3 minutes, and i haven't had any pain since. its been 3-4 years now.

But if you are set on getting a new car, my GF has 2010 Range Rover, and seat is elevated enough where my hips and knees are inline.
Alternatively, if your car has ample head room, you can put down pillow(s) on the seat to elevate your hips.

I am sorry about the pain, i know how miserable you must feel.

To zemljace, sigurno od teski poslova

.

Oh and forgot ... I had back surgery and it was worth every penny. Had all of the symptoms plus ocassionaly back spasm that would render me worthless for 1-2hrs on the ground. Look into micro-disc-sectomy ... best $40k spent and then you can drive any car you want

TheDarkEnergist · Aug 11, 2020

GoLfUnV said:
This...
I also had Sciatica episode that lasted 2-3 months. Chiro was of no help, yoga and various exercised did nothing for me. I finally decided to pay for quality Physical Therapy, and on my 3rd visit to PT, he stuck his thumb into my butt cheek, held it there for 2-3 minutes, and i haven't had any pain since. its been 3-4 years now.

But if you are set on getting a new car, my GF has 2010 Range Rover, and seat is elevated enough where my hips and knees are inline.
Alternatively, if your car has ample head room, you can put down pillow(s) on the seat to elevate your hips.

I am sorry about the pain, i know how miserable you must feel.

https://thefeed.com/blogs/news/pso-rite-your-psoas-is-probably-holding-you-back

Maybe this'll get peoples attention. Imagine not having to pay a guy to stick his thumb in your ass!

I was going to Broadway Chiropractic in Manhattan to the tune of $400 a visit. I got one of these for Christmas and haven't been back to the chiropractor since. I haven't had a back flare up since. I can walk, run, squat, climb 5 flights of stairs every day, and ride BMX. 5 years ago I couldn't stand long enough to cook a burger.

forewheel · Aug 12, 2020

GoLfUnV said:
This...
he stuck his thumb into my butt cheek, held it there for 2-3 minutes, and i haven't had any pain since. its been 3-4 years now.

THIS! I totally MF'd this dude for about 5 minutes, and hurt like hell afterwards but have not had pain since...AT ALL.

OP, we are telling you...get to the root of the problem first with the correct kind of treatment, THEN go buy the new car you want so bad and not settling for. I promise you there's no car seat out there that will do what a good deep tissue treatment will for your sciatica.

Help finding vehicle for my sciatica

forewheel

TheDarkEnergist

Hostile

atomicalex

Pnuu

GoLfUnV

Aseras

bnkrpt311

whereami

whereami

IanCH

Mr.Veedubya

adrew

whereami

Uber Wagon

Air and water do mix

SCHWAB0

SCHWAB0

TheDarkEnergist

forewheel

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